Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen is heading home to be with his relatives following the New Zealand earthquake.
The defender hails from Christchurch and wore a black armband during Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Aston Villa as tribute to the victims of the disaster.
To compound a tough week, the 33-year-old was then sent-off for two yellow cards in the Villa defeat and is now banned.
Blackburn boss Steve Kean told the News of the World: “I’ve already told him he can go back if he wants, though he is a bit concerned about the aftershocks.
“It’s been a tough week for him but he’s shown real professionalism and conducted himself so well.
“This just rounded off a bad week.”
